Frank Luca, class of 1979, is a man who has found what many people can only dream of – the perfect job!  “ It all started when parents started asking me to do some private coaching and as a result, I began toying with the idea of opening my own coaching business. I even had a name in mind for it: One on One Basketball, said Frank.”

But it didn’t happen for quite a while – in fact it happened 26 years after Frank graduated from La Salle and 22 years after graduating from URI with a degree in communications.

And where did all that perseverance get its start?  “I credit La Salle for much of my success in life.  I learned a lot about discipline at La Salle from men like Mr. Cimini and Brother Charles and Coach Heroux and Brother William.  And, many of those lessons I have passed along to my children,” said Frank.  “I also learned about dedication from Brother Dominic who I got to know very well who was very involved in alumni affairs with the Class of ’79 as he helped us plan our 20^th  and 25^th reunions.  I was honored that Brother Dominic chose me and three other 1979 classmates to be a pall bearers at his funeral.”

But back to his journey to his dream job.  Along with working in Logistics Management for TJMaxx and then for 18 years at CVS, Frank also worked part time for the family business, Luca Music in North Providence.

But most importantly in terms of how he reached his goal, along with working those jobs, Frank had coached basketball for several years for the St. Anthony's CYO team.

“With my CYO coaching being such a passion, I wanted to get into coaching at the high school level.  After going on interviews and calling many high schools I got my big break from my former coach Eddy Heroux at LaSalle,” Frank continued.  “There was an opening for a volunteer position coaching freshman basketball.  I did it for two years before becoming his assistant in my third year.”

After coaching for a few years at LaSalle, Frank went on to coach at Roger Williams University, Scituate High School and now is an assistant at Smithfield High School, where his youngest son Matthew currently plays basketball and where daughter Jenna is a cheerleader.

Now, back to his dream of One on One Basketball. 

“After mentioning the idea and that name to someone, I was told that the business name already existed.  That sparked my interest even more and while home recovering at the time from back surgery, I did some research and learned that One on One Basketball is an event management company based in Washington, D.C,” Frank continued.  “It was a new industry in sports education got its start in 1992 and was looking for representatives.”

“To make a long story short, I went through the lengthy application process.  I was helped by the fact that company liked that I not only had an extensive coaching experience but also a business background as well,” said Frank.

He was hired as Regional Manager of One on One Basketball in November of 2005 for the area covering Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, one of 10 regions in the country.

“We teach basketball to children in elementary and middle schools through after school programs, which run for one hour per week for 6- 8 weeks during the fall, winter and spring. We also conduct basketball skills classes and summer basketball camps for boys and girls ages 5-16 in several towns throughout Rhode Island, Frank continued.  “I started working in the business on a part time basis for a year and a half and then after deciding to leave CVS, went full time in August of 07'. As the business grew I decided it would be best to become incorporated as One on One Basketball RI, and did so in July of 2008.”

“We started out with just five after school programs and two summer camps in our first year.  Now beginning our fourth full year, we operate our after school program in approximately forty-five schools almost statewide and are scheduled to have eleven basketball camps in six different towns within RI this summer,” said Frank. “The ultimate goal of my business is to develop and motivate athletes and to teach them how to reach their potential as basketball players while having fun.”

“I can truly say for the first time in my life that I love what I do for a living. To this day the good morals, values and discipline that I learned at La Salle Academy are still with me and make a big difference when you are in business for yourself,” concluded Frank. “I have a quote on my wall that I look at everyday ‘Don’t wake up at 70 years old sighing over what you should’ve tried. Just do it. Be willing to fail, and at least you gave it a shot.’  Remember it’s never too late to be what you might have been. Well I’m finally there . . . I finally found my dream career.”

Frank and his wife of 21 years, Nancy, live in Smithfield, RI with their three children, John 19, Jenna 17 and Matthew 14.

Anyone interested in learning more about One on One Basketball can visit Frank’s website at www.1on1basketball.com